Tuesday, February 09, 2010

The Art of Brownsville : Questions and Answers

Have you ever thought about leaving the TAOB blog ?
Yes, I think about it all the time......Running the blog is hard work, is not just about posting events, its about making it work, posting every day and keeping it interesting. It requires a big commitment. There is also a lot going on, allot of events , allot of work being produced, its hard making it to all the events to cover whats going on....Its always easier when readers and or artists send in work to post... But its always great when things get done...very rewarding I think.

What is the positive and the negative of being the TAOB blog administrator ?
Positive, well that's easy, your in control, so there is a creative freedom of how to run the blog. I have met a lot of people that read the blog and tell me how great it looks and how they can not beleive the work that is being produced locally.....The positive feedback is always rewarding..

Negative, of course I will say the comments..which I think has been the hardest thing I've had to deal with. Half of the readers want comments and the other half doesn't. How do you justify that..? On top of that you got - anonymous commentators who simply are out to "cagar palo" - if you get my drift..... I personally , don't mind the comments,,,but you just simply can't please everyone.... The idea of the blog is so that everyone can join in and create a dialogue about local art.. Some of the comments are really good and its great - people should be able to express themselves.. but again others pretend give out false identity, which is beyond me, I can't tell who it is, and do not have the time and or want to waist my time to research the "caga palos"..

Again for the most part is positive. I couldn't be anymore thank full for how The Art of Brownsville has turned out..

What has been the most memorable moment about The Art of Brownsville blog...?
I would have to say when TAOB got together to celebrate the 3rd anniversary which was I think the biggest step for the blog.. I think it was really great having everyone come together to celebrate local art. Not about one person but about all of us, everyone that supports and or works to improve the art culture in our area...

What have you learned from The Art of Brownsville blog ?
Well there is a lot to learn from blogging itself. I think what has been most important is being part of the growth of the local art culture.. I feel I have been witness to a great evolution in our local history..Some of the last exhibitions at the old Brownsville Museum of Fine Arts now the new building next to the Gladys Porter Zoo and Richardson Art Gallery now - Rusteberg Gallery, Amigos Artistas - which continues to grow with "Art in the Park" - Brownsville Latin Jazz Festival, Historic Brownsville Museum, Cemetery Museum, and Heritage Complex all of which have hosted several great art exhibitions, and of course Galeria 409 and Imagenes Studio Paseo Plaza - The Art Factory which are pushing shows.. ...There has also been a numerous amounts of local restaurants/bars that now feature local art on the walls...


All of which have been venues for now several artists that have made there mark and have become important in the growth of our art culture..

What is the purpose of The Art of Brownsville blog...? One of the most misconceptions that people have about the blog is that, they define it as a group of artists or that its about only a certain group.. Not at all, the blog is about contributions, comments, announcing events, perspectives, but most importantly defining the art that is being produced locally of course, no matter by whom. If you send in a picture of your work, people will comment on it, by some who have a high education in art, some who have a good knowledge of art or by some who observe and want to give there opinion.. It is simply a tool to learn from, is not by all means the end of the world if someone comments a negative critic.

Lets take a moment to answer some questions....send in your questions about the blog via comments......

Paintings by Gabriel Trevino

"I am currently working on a series of 10 acrylic paintings - 16x20 canvas,wich I will display at The Art Factory - February 13, 2010 - reception 5pm to 9pm......... gt

Friday, February 05, 2010

"IMAGES" Paintings by Jose Manuel Salas













Distinguished Guests of Jose Manuel Salas:
Victor Manuel Trevino - Mexican Consolute at Brownsville
Lic. Roberto Salas - Presidente de la Camara Nacional de Comercio de Matamoros
Jorge Flores - Director of Mr Amigo Charro Days Festival
Ruben Pena - Candidate County Judge
Jose Juan Lara - Conseguero Titular del Instuto Mexicano Exterior
Elva Mcluff - Directora de Imaculta Bellas Artes de Matamoros
Lic. Corina Robertson - Conseguegara de Commercio International
Lic. Rafaela Chavez - Directora de Relaciones y Promiciones de UTM
Evangelina Elizondo - Directora de Promociones Cultural de Consulado

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Cliff Welty - Art Stars Video Contest

Hi friends,
Please take a look at this new art-iguana video. It is a contest entry with Jerry's Artarama, so please lok at it multiple times and tell your friends about it too. The more views it gets the more chance I have of winning the "Art Stars Video Contest". So I'm asking you please to help me and feel free to forward this message along to your friends neighbors etc.
I want to thank you in advance for your help.
Please click below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6GqXG_ZGx0

as always
art-iguana
Cliff Welty

Sunday, January 31, 2010

A Collection Dontated by Ben Edelstein







PRESS RELEASE:l
BROWNSVILLE, January 2010-The Brownsville Historical Association invite the public to Into the Wild West: A Collection Donated by Ben Edelstein. The exhibit opens on Sunday, January 31, 2010 at 2 p.m. with a reception. The event is free to the public and includes traditional cowboy fare and music.

The exhibition will be displayed at Market Square Research Center, a new archival and collection storage space and gallery at Historic Market Square. The exhibit will be on permament display. Gallery hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am to 4 pm.

The collection of more than 30 scultpures and 18 paintings was donated by the late Ben Edelstein and includes bronzes and paintings by artists Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell, among others. Both artists are known for their depiction of cowboy life and the wild west.

Ben Edelstein was a life long resident of the Rio Grande Valley and worked to build his family's company, Edelstein's Fine Furniture. He was a graduate of the University of Texas-Austin and spent time fighting in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. Ben's success as a businessman led him to give back to the Brownsville community. He started two scholarships, in memory of his parents Morris and Yetta, at the UTB-TSC and the Edelstein Endowment continues to fund the education of UTB-TSC students. The collection was donated to the Brownsville Historical Association to provide the citizens of Brownsville with an access to two great American artists, both of whom shaped our vision of the Wild West.

Morris Edelstein, son of Ben, will present remarks about his father and his love of Brownsville.

About Market Square Research Center


Market Square Research Center is open by appointment Tuesday-Friday from 10 am to 4 pm. Gallery hours to view the exhibit are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays. For more information on BHA programs and exhibits, please call 956-541-5560. For more information on Market Square Research Center please call 956-546-4242.



Brownsville Historical Association
Rhiannon Cizon
Programs Coordinator - Market Square
rcizon@brownsvillehistory.org

TAOB NOTES : The exhibit and opening was very well curated. It was exciting to see the amount of visitors who came to show interest and support. This was an art show opening my kids and I really enjoyed.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Brownsville Museum of Fine Art - Original Art Sale







Brownsville Museum of Fine Arts makes art accessible for those seeking to purchase original works by local artists . Paintings, Watercolor, Sketches, Drawings, Graffiti paintings - both framed and unframed for sale, most prices starting at an unbeleivable $2.00 to $20.00 . This is a great oppportunity for those wanting to support the museum and support local artist by purchasing original works for very affordable prices. It is simply a great way to encourage buying more than one....

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Mexican Lovers by Carlos G. Gomez


Mexican Lovers by Carlos G. Gomez

"Mexican Lovers is in my opinion a very dynamic and vibrant piece that is aesthetically pleasing but carries a great deal of symbolism and perspective. The painting at first site seems symmetrical to each side but it is actually loosely drawn in freehand style. The painting has a crayon like textured appeal as if or was painted with oil sticks with the exception of the jalapeno peppers painted in detail at the the center of the crosses. I like how there seems to be two horizons which is commonly used in religious paintings symbolizing the bottom horizon as life on earth and the top horizon above the clouds and in to the heavens. In a stand back view there is an overall haunting image of a serpent like image starring at the viewer as it hides behind the abstract figures.
In a very primitive style the painting perhaps tells a story, idolizing the "chile" as a god like figure, or in a sense signifying its importance to the culture. " gt

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Gerardo Javier de Leon Franchute Passed on January 24, 2010 at age 52

Jose Manuel Salas (left) and Franchute (right) at 2008 Art in the Park , photo courtesy of Gabriel Trevino
Pintor - Franchute
visit website:


Franchute in his studio 2006, photo courtesy of Cande Aguilar


A painting by Franchute can currently be seen on display as part of the permanent collection of the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art - 75 year exhibit celebration. Franchute had exhibited numerous times locally in solo and group shows at the Galeria 409 and also participated in Amigos Artistas - Art in the Park where he had also been awarded best of show...




The Art of Brownsville Notes : Deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Franchute. Anyone wanting to share photos to add to this post, send them in to brownsvilleartform@yahoo.com.

POST YOUR LOCAL EVENTS HERE ON THE ART OF BROWNSVILLE BLOG


PHOTOS BY GABRIEL TREVINO